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Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:32:17 -0500Joomla! - Open Source Content Managementen-gbThe Random Puller by Clay Rosshttp://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/contemporary-jazz-cd-reviews/the-random-puller-by-clay-ross.html
http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/contemporary-jazz-cd-reviews/the-random-puller-by-clay-ross.htmlThis is an independent recording debut for guitarist/composer/bandleader Clay Ross. He was recently named Jazz Ambassador by the U.S. State Department and is also a memb…

This is an independent recording debut for guitarist/composer/bandleader Clay Ross. He was recently named Jazz Ambassador by the U.S. State Department and is also a member of the world-renowned percussionist Cyro Baptista’s group "Beat the Donkey."

Clay Ross is a versatile and creative guitarist/composer based in New York City. Utilizing both the electric and acoustic guitars in a number of musical settings, he creates a unique sound through a genre defying openness.

Apparently recorded in South Carolina over two late night sessions in December 2004, Clay employed the talents of three southern natives. Featuring the inventive tenor playing of Atlanta’s Kebbi Williams (Jeff "Tain" Watts, Outkast) and the dynamic rhythm section of Brian Mulholland (electric bass) and Stockton Helbing (drums), both current members of jazz legend Maynard Ferguson’s touring band, this recording delivers the intimacy of live performance with the sound quality of studio production. Engineered and mixed at Williamson Evans Music by Duane Evans, The Random Puller was also mastered by the ubiquitous Allan Tucker (Verve, Tzadik) at Foothill Digital in NYC.

On this album he smoothly moves through nine original compositions, proving his talent both as composer and a musician. He has a way to touch your senses with his music. It’s the unique combination of improvising and sweet melancholic melodies, which can really get a grip on you. It’s lyrical and poetic and very romantic all wrapped up in one.

Imagine an open fireplace, a nice glass of wine and then Clay Ross on the background. What more can you wish for? Enjoy!

]]>morrice.blackwell@gmail.com (Christie Goodwin)Contemporary Jazz - CD ReviewsFri, 15 Jul 2005 07:00:00 -0500Skyliner by Isaiah Sharkey & the Family Treehttp://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/contemporary-jazz-cd-reviews/skyliner-by-isaiah-sharkey-the-family-tree.html
http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/contemporary-jazz-cd-reviews/skyliner-by-isaiah-sharkey-the-family-tree.htmlI was very curious and skeptic when I found out that this was a CD by a 15-year-old boy who’d be playing some contemporary jazz. Believe me, he just blew me away in the …

I was very curious and skeptic when I found out that this was a CD by a 15-year-old boy who’d be playing some contemporary jazz. Believe me, he just blew me away in the first track. It’s just unbelievable what this teenage boy can do. If you’re a Wes Montgomery lover, then do not hesitate to pick up this CD and enjoy it to the fullest.

The first two tracks on the CD are compositions by Wes Montgomery and Isaiah immediately picks up the fine tunes, as Wes would do. He plays without hesitation and with full vigor throughout the whole CD. He and his guitar are one and you can immediately identify that when you hear this young man play. The rest of the family provides Isaiah with a warm ambiance background but it’s Isaiah and his guitar that takes your breath away.

He imitates Wes Montgomery to the smallest details and one can only presume he’s a big Montgomery fan that has studied his guitar work very intensively. Unfortunately he doesn’t develop his own style throughout the CD and restricts himself to imitating Montgomery. Maybe in time, he’ll break free from the Montgomery style and create his own.

But for now, this CD is more than worth a listen. It’s just breathtaking and especially that it’s only a 15-year-old boy producing a sound of such high class. Strongly recommended!

]]>morrice.blackwell@gmail.com (Christie Goodwin)Contemporary Jazz - CD ReviewsFri, 15 Jul 2005 01:00:00 -0500Afro-Groove by Follow followhttp://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/world-music-cd-reviews/afro-groove-by-follow-follow.html
http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/world-music-cd-reviews/afro-groove-by-follow-follow.htmlThe CD presents itself as the ultimate African urban music. So, I was ready for some joyous beats that would get my feet up and down the floor. As expected the fi…

The CD presents itself as the ultimate African urban music. So, I was ready for some joyous beats that would get my feet up and down the floor.

As expected the first tracks gave me the expected rhythmically infectious play. Follow Follow sure brings on a groovy mood. The musicians are very good; you can feel they are having fun in making music. The guitarists are instinctively up beating one another in their play and the passion of the saxophones really gets a grip on you.

But unfortunately after two tracks, you realize that the same is coming over and over again. It becomes monotone and there’s very little diversity in what they have to offer. The same beat and the same interlocking of the guitar play seem to be copied from one song to another. Except for "Mag Poo," a track composed by Maceo Parker and all the King’s Men, all tracks are quite alike and leave you with a hunger for something different after a while. The other tracks are composed by Fela Kuti, but still with a little bit of creativity and feel they could have explored some wider perspectives in their performance.

Over all, I’d say they are pretty good musicians, and it’s certainly a good concept. However, there is too little diversity in their music to my liking.